What happened
On 20 October 2018, an Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo, registration G-CHWN, was completing a private flight from Dunkeswell Aerodrome to Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. The pilot, who had recently acquired this fixed-wing microlight, was returning to his home airfield under favorable weather conditions, characterized by sunny skies, good visibility, and light winds.
Upon approaching Runway 21R, the pilot executed a stable approach but touched down slightly left of the runway centerline. In an attempt to steer the aircraft back toward the center of the runway, the pilot applied left rudder pedal. This action caused the aircraft to veer off the paved surface, where it struck a runway edge light. The impact resulted in the collapse of the left landing gear leg and caused damage to the left door and the surrounding airframe structure. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
AAIB investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the steering error and the pilot's recent flying history. The investigation established that while the pilot was experienced in flying flex-wing microlights, he had only 15 hours of experience on this specific fixed-wing type. The investigation focused on the mechanical response of the aircraft to the rudder input and the pilot's transition between different aircraft control characteristics.
Findings
- The pilot applied left rudder pedal during the landing roll, which was the incorrect steering sense for a fixed-wing aircraft.
- The pilot's previous experience was primarily with flex-wing microlights, where the steering sense is reversed compared to fixed-wing types.
- The aircraft veered off the runway and struck a runway edge light, leading to the structural failure of the left landing gear leg.